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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "Ms.Elizabeth Benjamin" <elizabethhussein75@gmail.com>
Reply-To: tny.kow@keemail.me
Date: Mon, 22 May 2017 02:58:15 +0100
Subject: Please Revert


Greetings to you

I am Ms.Elizabeth Benjamin, I was married to Dr.Frank Benjamin, who worked
with the Iraq National Oil Company (INOC) for twenty three years before he
died in August 2014, May be you must have heard about him in the oil
industry. We were married for thirty-seven years without a child. He died
during the war in Iraq as he was held hostage and killed by ISIL .

Before his death we were both devoted Christians. Since his death I decided
not to re-marry. When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum
USD$10.5 Million U.S. Dollars) with a finance outfit and presently, this
money is still with them and the management just wrote me as the
beneficiary to come forward to receive the money or rather issue a letter
of authorization to somebody to receive it on my behalf if I can not come
over.

Presently, I’m in the hospital where I have been undergoing treatment for
cancer of the lungs. I have since lost my ability to talk and my doctors
have told me that I have only less than (2) two months to live and It is my
last wish to see that this money is invested wisely and at the end of every
year funds are distributed among charity organization.

I want a reliable and honest person that will use this money to reach to
the motherless,less privileges,orphanages,cancer research centers and
widows propagating the word and the sick that has no body to take care of
them hence If you are willing and honest enough to do my wishes.

As soon as I receive your reply, I shall give you the details on how you
will claim this funds from where it is currently held so that you can
immediately transfer the funds to your personal account via bank
telegraphic wire transfer.

I will also issue a letter of authority that will empower you as the new
beneficiary of the funds hence please assure me that you will act
accordingly as stated herein .

I hope to hear from you soonest

Remain Blessed,

Ms.Elizabeth Benjamin

Anti-fraud resources: